Spout assembly for converting prepackaged beverage containers

ABSTRACT

A spout assembly for a beverage container has a replacement cap sized and configured to replace a closure of a beverage container. The cap has a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall. A spout portion has an elongate spout tube segment with a spout passage and has a cap connector configured to attach the spout portion to the cap. The spout tube segment extends from the closure wall and the spout passage is in liquid communication with the spout aperture.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This patent is related to and claims priority benefit of U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 62/045,144 filed Sep. 3, 2014 andentitled “Sport Spout—An Adaptable Spout/Straw/Cap Combination That WillInstantly Turn Any Prepackaged Sport Beverage or Consumer Beverage Intoa Sport Bottle.” The entire content of this prior filed provisionalapplication is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure is generally directed to beverage containers andmore particularly to a spout assembly configured to convert aprepackaged beverage container into a sports bottle.

2. Description of Related Art

Many individuals, including professional athletes, amateur athletes,recreational athletes, and ordinary non-athletes perform a myriad ofathletic and other physically demanding endeavors every day. Suchendeavors often require substantial physical exertion to the point wherethe person perspires. Such exertion is considered healthy in mostinstances, but can also deplete fluid levels within the person's body.To prevent or inhibit dehydration, it is common for the individual todrink fluids during and after such endeavors.

Drinking containers, i.e., sports bottles of different types have thusbeen developed to meet the needs of these individuals. Many of thesetypes of bottles employ a drinking spout that can aid in directingliquid into the person's mouth. The spout designs also vary among themany different bottle designs. These types of bottles are typicallyfillable and refillable with a beverage of choice, such as water orsports drinks The bottles are thus reusable by the ultimate end users.

Beverage makers have also developed different types of sports drinksthat are designed to rehydrate the individual and also to deliversugars, electrolytes, vitamins, and/or minerals to the individual. Thetypical sports drink is provided in a prepackaged container that has aconventional screw-on cap or closure over a conventional threadedorifice. Such caps or closures are not configured for easily andaccurately dispending the beverage from the prepackaged container to themouth of an individual while they participate in an athletic orphysically demanding endeavor. Instead, the individual will typicallytransfer the sports drink from the prepackaged container into aspecialized sports bottle prior to the endeavor in order to be able toreadily consume the sports drink during the endeavor.

Some endeavors require the participants to wear headgear that may be orinclude a facemask or a cage over the face of the participant or to wearhelmets with such a cage or facemask. Such endeavors may include, butare certainly not limited to, ice hockey, football, lacrosse,firefighting, military activities, or the like. A prepackaged containerwith a conventional dispensing orifice often cannot be used by theseparticipants while wearing their headgear. The dispensing orifice isalmost always too large to fit between the bars or within the openingsof the cage or facemask. If the participant wishes to drink from theoriginal prepackaged container, they typically must first remove thehelmet or headgear and then must also put the orifice directly to theirlips to drink from the container. If more than one participant drinksfrom the same container in this manner, hygiene concerns may result.

Often, the participants in these types of endeavors choose to utilize aspecially designed sports bottle that has an extended spout. The spoutis long enough to extend between the bars or into the holes of the cageor facemask to accurately deliver the beverage to the participant'smouth. However, the participants must also fill or refill such sportsbottles with their beverage of choice prior to undertaking the endeavor.

SUMMARY

In one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, aspout assembly for a prepackaged beverage container has a replacementcap and a spout portion. The replacement cap is sized and configured toreplace a closure of the prepackaged beverage container. The replacementcap has a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall.The spout portion has an elongate spout tube segment defining a spoutpassage axially within and along the spout tube segment and has a capconnector configured to attach the spout portion to the replacement cap.The spout tube segment extends from one side of the closure wall and thespout passage is in liquid communication with the spout aperture.

In one example, the replacement cap can have a skirt depending from aperimeter of the closure wall and can have mechanical threads on aradial inner surface of the threaded skirt.

In one example, the spout tube segment can extend through and/or fromthe spout aperture.

In one example, the spout assembly can include a straw portion connectedto the spout portion. The straw portion can extend from a side of theclosure wall opposite the one side in a direction opposite the spouttube segment.

In one example, the spout portion can include an attachment tube segmentwith an axial opening aligned with and open to the spout passage. Astraw portion can be telescopically connected to the attachment tubesegment.

In one example, the cap connector can include a circumferential groovearound the spout portion. The closure wall around the spout aperture canseat in the groove.

In one example, the spout assembly can include an anti-leak device on apart of the spout portion.

In one example, the spout assembly can include an anti-leak valvepositioned along the spout passage.

In one example, the spout assembly can include a valve, which can beformed as a membrane disposed near a dispensing orifice of the spouttube segment. The membrane can have a plurality of slits separating themembrane into multiple valve flaps.

In one example, the spout tube segment can be bendable or flexible.

In one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, amethod is disclosed for converting a prepackaged beverage container to asports bottle. The method includes obtaining a prepackaged beveragecontainer having a bottle and a closure. The method includes removingthe closure from a neck of the bottle. The method includes selecting aspout assembly having a replacement cap sized and configured to attachto the neck of the bottle to replace the closure. The replacement caphas a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall. Themethod includes selecting the spout assembly also having a spout portionwith an elongate spout tube segment and a cap connector attaching thespout portion to the replacement cap. The method further includesinstalling the replacement cap on the neck of the bottle with the spouttube segment extending upward from the closure wall and from thereplacement cap and bottle.

In one example, the step of selecting can include selecting a spoutassembly with a flexible spout tube segment that has an axial spoutpassage in liquid communication with the spout aperture.

In one example, the step of selecting can include selecting a spoutassembly with a straw portion connected to the spout portion. The strawportion can have an axial liquid passage in liquid communication withthe axial spout passage.

In one example, the method can include selecting a spout assembly with astraw portion and can include the step of fitting a length of the strawportion to a height of the bottle.

In one example, the method can include selecting a spout assembly with astraw portion and can include the step of choosing a straw portion tohave a length that can extend through an interior space of the bottle tonearly adjacent a bottom of the bottle.

In one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, asports bottle has a prepackaged beverage container including a bottlewith a neck forming an opening and a spout assembly. The spout assemblyhas i) a replacement cap sized and configured to replace a closureremoved from the neck, the replacement cap having a closure wall and aspout aperture through the closure wall, and ii) a spout portion havingan elongate spout tube segment and a cap connector securing the spoutportion on the replacement cap.

In one example, the spout tube segment can be flexible and can extendfrom the spout aperture.

In one example, the sports bottle can include a straw portion connectedto an attachment tube segment on the spout portion. The attachment tubesegment can have an axial opening aligned with and open to the spoutpassage. The straw portion can be received telescopically in the axialopening and be connected to the attachment tube segment.

In one example, the cap connector can include a circumferential groovearound the spout portion adjacent the spout tube segment. The closurewall around the spout aperture can seat in the groove.

In one example, the bottle can be selected from an array of differentprepackaged beverage containers each having a different sized bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of one example of a spout assembly constructedin accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the spout assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of an existing prepackagedbeverage container that would contain a sports drink or other liquidbeverage.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a sports bottle formed by adaptingthe prepackaged beverage container bottle of FIG. 3 with the spoutassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the sports bottle of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section taken along line 6-6 of the spout assemblyshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A shows a close-up cross-section view taken from circle 7A of partof the spout assembly shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7B shows an enlarged view of the connection between the capconnector and spout portion of the spout assembly shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C shows a close-up cross-section view taken from circle 7C of thedispensing orifice and valve on the spout portion shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7D shows a close-up perspective view of the cap connector of thespout portion taken from circle 7D in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7E shows a close-up perspective view of the dispensing orifice andvalve of FIG. 7C and taken from circle 7E in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the bottle and spout assembly shown in FIG.4.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section taken along line 9-9 of the bottle andspout assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective view of another example of a spoutassembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section taken along line 11-11 of the spoutassembly shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of the spout assembly of FIG. 10 and attachedto a beverage container such as that depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 shows a top end of a spout portion of the spout assembly of FIG.10 and with a cap device attached thereto and in a closed position.

FIGS. 14-16 show three examples of the many different prepackagedbeverage containers for which the disclosed spout assemblies can bedesigned and configured to convert to a sports bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosed spout assemblies solve or improve upon one or more of theabove-noted and/or other problems and disadvantages with prior knownsports drink type beverage containers. The disclosed spout assembliesare configured to provide a method of converting a conventionalprepackaged sports drink or other beverage container to a sports bottle.The disclosed spout assemblies have a flexible tube shaped spout portionthat extends from a cap of the assembly. The spout portion can be anelongate tube of sufficient length to reach through a mask, cage, orfacemask of a user's headgear. The disclosed spout assemblies have a capthat can be sized and configured to replace the closure on differentprepackaged beverage containers, which positions and mounts the spoutportion on the beverage container. The disclosed spout assemblies can beprovided in an array or set of product offerings with a variety of capsizes to fit different beverage container sizes and/or types. Thedisclosed spout assemblies can have a straw portion in fluidcommunication with the spout portion to reach liquid within the beveragecontainer. The disclosed spout assemblies can include an anti-leakfeature such as a cap/closure for the spout portion, an anti-leak valve,or the like. These and other objects, features, and advantages of thedisclosed spout assemblies and methods will become apparent to thosehaving ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one example of a spoutassembly 20 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the spout assembly 20depicting the basic parts of the assembly. In general, the spoutassembly 20 has a replacement cap 22 and a spout portion 24 that ismounted to the cap 22. The spout assembly 20 can also optionally have astraw portion 26 that can be coupled or connected to the spout portion24 and/or cap 22 during use. As discussed below, the spout assembly isdesigned and configured to convert a conventional prepackaged beveragecontainer or other similar type container to a sports bottle or to givethe container a sports bottle functionality.

FIG. 3 shows one example of a prepackaged beverage container 28 that istypically sold with a bottle 30 and a closure 32. The typical bottle 30has an interior space S for holding a liquid beverage. The space S isdefined by a closed bottom 34 (see FIGS. 8 and) and a side wall 36extending up from the bottom. The side wall 36 terminates at a neck 38,which defines an opening 40 in the bottle 30 into the space S. In manycases, the neck 38 has mechanical male threads 42 on the exteriorsurface of the neck. The typical closure 32 has a closure wall 44 and adepending skirt 46 that surrounds and extends down from a perimeter ofthe closure wall. The inside surface of the skirt 46 typically hasfemale mechanical threads (not shown) that are configured to mate withthe male threads 42 on the bottle neck 38. Thus, most beveragecontainers 28 of this type have a screw-on cap type closure 32. Theclosure must be completely removed from the bottle 28 in order to accessthe opening 40 and to empty or drink the liquid contents from the spaceS in the bottle 30.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the disclosed spout assembly 20 is intendedto replace the closure 32 of the bottle 30 of the typical prepackagedbeverage container 28. First, the user must remove the closure 32 fromthe bottle 30. The user then replaces the closure 32 with thereplacement cap 22 and at least the spout portion 24 of the spoutassembly 20. This converts the bottle 28 to what is described herein asa sports bottle 50, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The term sports bottleis used herein to refer to a type of bottle that has a closure with aspout so that a user can dispense liquid from the bottle via the spoutwithout having to remove the closure. Some of these types of sportsbottles employ a resilient, deformable, i.e., squeezable bottle that canbe squeezed to dispense the liquid from the spout. Other of these typesof sports bottles have an internal straw connected to the spout and havea bottle that is not readily squeezed. Thus, in order to dispense liquidfrom the more rigid bottle, the user must suck liquid from the spout viathe internal straw. When replacing the closure 32 with the spoutassembly 20 on these types of beverage containers, the user may thenneed to optionally include the straw portion 26 of the spout assembly.

Details of this example of the spout assembly are now described withreference to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7A-7E. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view ofthe spout assembly 20 parts, FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the spoutassembly 20, and FIGS. 7A-7E show various detail views and cross-sectionviews of parts of the spout assembly. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6,the optional straw portion 26 in this example has a relatively simpletubular construction. The straw portion 26 has a cylindrical body 52that defines a liquid passage 54 along a lengthwise axis of the body.The body defines an inlet end 56 of the liquid passage 54 at the bottomof the straw portion 26 and defines an outlet end 58 of the liquidpassage at the top of the straw portion. Liquid can thus enter theliquid passage 54 of the straw portion 26 at the inlet end 56 and exitthe passage at the outlet end 58.

In this example, the body 52 can have a consistent diameter and wallthickness over its entire length. However, in other examples, it iscertainly possible that the body have a different size at each endand/or a different or variable wall thickness at one or more differentlocations over its length. Also, the body 52 in this example has acircular cross-section shape from end to end. However, in otherexamples, the body 52 of the straw portion 26 can have a non-circularcross-section shape at one or more points over its length or over itsentire length. For example, the body 52 can have one or more differentlyshaped portions or can have a consistent different shape over its entirelength, such as an oval, oblong, somewhat rectangular, somewhat square,octagonal shape, or the like. The straw portion 26 may have a lengththat will be excessively long upon initial purchase by a user. The strawportion 26, if utilized, can then be fitted to a desired length for agiven bottle application or bottle height by cutting the body 52.Alternatively, the straw portion 26 can be produced in sets or arrays ofselectable straw portions of different lengths. Either the user canselect a straw portion 26 of a desired length upon purchase or theseller can pre-select a specific length to fit a particular bottleapplication for sale to the user.

The straw portion 26 can also be formed from a substantially rigid orbend-resistant material or can be formed from a material providing someflexibility to the body 52. Thus, the straw portion 26 can be formedfrom the general material classes of metal, glass, plastic, rubber, orthe like and can be formed from more specific sub-classes, alloys, orcompositions of such materials. In one example, the straw portion 26 canbe extruded or otherwise molded form a material such as thermoplasticelastomer (TPE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene blend (PE),high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene LDPE), linearlow-density polyethylene (LLDPE), or some other suitable composition.

In this example, the spout portion 24 has an attachment tube segment 60,a spout tube segment 62, and a cap connector 64 as shown in FIGS. 2, 6,and 7A. These three components of the spout portion 24 can be formed asone continuous or integral piece. However, it is possible that two ormore of these components can be fabricated separately and then combinedafter fabrication. The spout portion 24 can be an integrally fabricatedpart formed as one contiguous or unitary piece, as depicted in FIGS. 6and 7A. The spout portion 24 can be formed from a suitable material,such as any of the same materials as noted above for the straw portion26, as well as silicone or the like. It may, however, be desirable forthe spout portion to have at least a flexible spout tube segment 62.Thus, the spout portion 24 may be injection molded from a suitable resinmaterial to produce a part with a spout tube segment 62 having a desiredflexibility. The spout tube segment 62 may instead or in addition beformed with mechanical features, such as corrugations or flutes toimpart flexibility in the segment.

In this example, the attachment tube segment 60 is a cylindrical tubeshape with a cylindrical wall 66 surrounding an axial opening formedalong the segment, also as shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7A. The attachmenttube segment 60 has a proximal end that is joined to the cap connector64, which in this example is an integral contiguous joint or connection,as can be seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The shape of the wall 66 and axialopening within the wall are configured to match the shape of the body 52of the straw portion 26. Thus, the wall 66 and axial opening need not becylindrical, particularly if the body 52 of the straw portion 26 is notcylindrical. In this example, the straw portion 26 has an outsidediameter at the outlet end 58 that can closely match the inside diameterof the wall 66 and its axial opening along the attachment tube segment60. The outlet end 58 of the straw portion 26 is telescopically receivedinto the axial opening at a free end 70 of the attachment tube segment60 to attach the straw portion to the spout portion 24. A slightinterference fit may be desirable so that the straw portion 26 willremain attached and secured to the spout portion 24 during use but willrender the straw portion easily detachable for replacement or cleaning

In this example, a stop surface 72 is provided along the axial opening68, as best depicted in FIG. 7B. The stop surface 72 is formed as asmaller diameter section within the spout portion 24 at or near theproximal end of the attachment tube segment 60. The outlet end 58 of thestraw portion 26 bottoms or bears against the stop surface 72 wheninserted into the attachment tube segment 60. The stop surface 72 limitsthe degree or distance that the straw portion 26 can be inserted intothe axial opening of the attachment tube segment 60. The stop surface 72can thus precisely axially or lengthwise position the straw portion 26relative to the spout portion 24 when attached. In an alternate example,the stop surface 72 may be eliminated whereby the straw portion 26 isinsertable into the axial opening of the attachment tube segment 60 to adegree determined by the user, for reasons of fitting the straw portionto a particular bottle height, as described below. If the straw portion26 is not offered as a part of the spout assembly 20, the attachmenttube segment 60 may be eliminated from the spout portion 24.Alternatively, the attachment tube segment 60 may be provided as a partof the spout portion 24 but can remain unused in a given bottleapplication that does not require the straw portion 26.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the attachment tube segment 60 is atone end of the spout portion 24 in this example and the spout tubesegment 62 is at the other end of the spout portion 24, opposite theattachment tube segment. In this example, the spout tube segment 62 hasa cylindrical wall 74 with a proximal end also joined to the capconnector 64. The connection between the spout tube segment 62 and thecap connector 64 is again an integral connection in this example, asshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. A distal end 76 of the spout tube segment 62defines a dispensing orifice 78 on the segment and for the spout portion24 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7C. The wall 74 defines a spout passage 80that extends axially along the spout segment 62. The spout passage 80 isin liquid flow communication with the liquid passage 54 of the strawportion 26 in this example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. With no strawportion 26, the spout passage would be in liquid flow communication withthe central opening of the attachment tube segment 60. Together, thespout passage 80 and liquid passage 54 allow liquid to flow from thestraw portion 26 through the spout portion 24 and to exit to thedispensing orifice 78.

A substantial part of the wall 74 of the spout tube segment 62 in thisexample, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, has a consistent first diameteralong a first section 82 of the segment adjacent the distal end 76. Thewall 74 also has a second section 84 adjacent the cap connector 64 thatis tapered, from the first section 82 to the cap connector, with asecond diameter that is larger than the first diameter and thatincreases closer to the cap connector. The larger diameter, increasingtapered second section 84, as depicted in FIG. 7A, can add strength andlimit flexing in the spout tube segment 62 adjacent the cap connector64. The smaller diameter first section 82 can allow increasedflexibility in the spout tube segment 62 away from the cap connector 64.The variable diameter of the two sections 82, 84 can increase durabilityof the spout assembly 20 during use while not inhibiting overallfunctionality.

The cap connector 64 is disposed on the spout portion 24 between thespout tube segment 62 and the attachment tube segment 60 as shown inFIGS. 2, 7B, and 7D. In this example, the cap connector is configured toconnect the spout portion 24 to the replacement cap 22 in the spoutassembly, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The design of the cap connector64 can thus vary from the example shown and described herein, dependingon the configuration of the replacement cap 22. In this example, andwith reference to FIGS. 7B and 7D, the cap connector 64 of the spoutportion 24 is formed as a stepped annular protrusion that extendsradially outward on the exterior surface of the spout portion 24. Thecap connector 64 has a circumferential groove 86 formed into the wall 74of the spout tube segment at the terminus of the second section 84. Thegroove 86 is positioned between the terminus of the second section 84and a first annular shoulder 88. The annular shoulder 88 extendsradially outward from the bottom of the groove 86 to a circumferentialsteppe surface 90. The step surface 90 has a diameter that is largerthan the second section 84 at its terminus adjacent the groove 86. Acircumferential lip 92 is disposed adjacent the step surface 90. The lip92 protrudes radially outward and has a diameter that is larger than thestep surface 90.

The replacement cap 22 shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7B is a circular cap andhas a closure wall 100 with a spout aperture 102 formed through thewall. In this example, the spout aperture 102 is located at the centerof the closure wall 100. A rib 104 is formed around the spout aperture102 and has a greater thickness than the closure wall 100 adjacent therib. The rib 104 can be added to increase rigidity of the closure wall100 adjacent the spout aperture 102. The replacement cap 22 also has askirt 106 that depends from a perimeter of the closure wall 100. Theskirt 106 has mechanical female threads 108 on the radial inward facingsurface of the skirt, as shown in FIG. 7B. The mechanical threads 108can be configured to mate with the male threads 42 on the neck 38 of thebottle 30 in this example. However, the shape, size, and configurationof the replacement cap 22, including the closure wall 100, skirt, 106,and threads 108, can be designed to accommodate a specific bottle designchosen from any number of beverage containers and bottles. Thereplacement cap 22 can also be formed from a suitable material, such asany of the same materials as noted above for the straw portion 26 or thespout portion 24. In one example, the replacement cap 22 (as well as thespout and straw portions) can be fabricated from polypropylene (PP).

With reference to FIG. 7B, the closure wall 102 of the replacement cap22 has an inner annular flange or positioning flange 110 that protrudesfrom a bottom surface 112 of the wall. The closure wall 100 also has anouter annular flange or seal flange 114 that protrudes from the bottomsurface 112. The positioning flange 110 is disposed radially inward andspaced from the seal flange 114. Each flange can be optional and eachperforms a different function for the spout assembly of the disclosedexample, as discussed below. The replacement cap 22 can also optionallyhave a seal material or seal layer (not shown) applied or disposed on atleast portions of the bottom surface 112 of the closure wall. The seallayer material can be a silicone or other suitable material and canassist in creating a seal between the replacement cap 22 and the neck 38of the bottle e30 when attached.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7C, and 7E, the dispending orifice 78 on thespout portion 24 or the tube segment 62 can include an anti-leak device,such as a valve 116. The valve 116 can vary in configuration andconstruction. The valve can be a separate piece installed on the spouttube segment 62 after fabrication of the spout portion 24.Alternatively, the valve 116 can be integrally formed with, and as apart of, the spout portion 24. In one example, the valve 116 can beformed as a closed membrane 118 within the spout passage at the distalend 76 and within the dispensing orifice 78, as depicted in FIG. 7C. Themembrane 118 can be molded with the spout portion from the same materialas the spout portion. Alternatively, the membrane 118 can be dual moldedor co-molded from a different material, such as silicone or siliconerubber, when the spout portion 24 is fabricated. The material can beselected to provide adequate flexibility and sealing during use. Themembrane can be slit, such as with an X-shape or cross-shape, to formindividual valve flaps 120, as shown in FIG. 7E. The flaps can openunder fluid pressure of liquid exiting the dispensing orifice 78 and canclose when no liquid exit pressure is applied to the valve 116.

The spout assembly 20 is designed to convert the conventionalprepackaged beverage container 28 to the sports bottle 50, as mentionedabove. The spout assembly 20 can be provide to the end user as apre-assembled product to be installed on the bottle 30. Alternatively,the spout assembly 20 can be assembled by the end user and theninstalled on the bottle 28. The spout assembly 20 is assembled in thefollowing manner. The spout tube segment 62 is inserted from the bottomsurface 112 of the closure wall 100 through the spout aperture 102. Thediameter at the terminus of the second section 84 can be such that thespout tube segment 62 must be forced through the spout aperture 102. Thematerial of the spout portion 24 can be sufficiently resilient to permitthe forced installation. When properly inserted, the rib 104 around thespout aperture 102 is sized to seat in the groove 86 of the capconnector 64, as shown in FIG. 7B. In this example, the step surface 90is sized to nest within the positioning flange 110. Likewise, theannular shoulder 88 seats against the bottom surface 112 of the closurewall within the positioning flange 110. The annular lip 92 seats againstthe free edge of the positioning flange 110 and can create a leakresistant seal or anti-leak device thereat.

The straw portion 26, if utilized, can be inserted into the attachmentthe segment 60 by telescopically sliding the portion into the free end70 and along the axial opening. In this example, the outlet end 58 onthe straw portion 26 bottoms against the stop surface 72 when fullyinserted as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The straw portion 26 may need tobe cut to length or may need to be selected or preselected to match aspecific bottle height, as discussed further below.

The user can be remove the closure 32 from the bottle 30 of the beveragecontainer 28, as in FIG. 3. The closure 32 can be retained and laterreused to seal the bottle 30, if desired when use of the sports bottle50 is completed. The spout assembly 20 can then be attached to thebottle 28 as shown in FIG. 8. The threads 108 on the replacement cap 22can engage the threads 42 on the neck 38 on the bottle and thereplacement cap 22 can be screwed onto the neck. As shown in FIG. 9, atop edge 122 of the neck 38 on the bottle seats between the skirt 106and the seal flange 114. This fit can cause some radial inward flex ofthe seat flange 114 to create an anti-leak device or leak resistant sealat the top of the bottle 30. The straw portion 26 should reach near tothe bottom 34 of the bottle 30, as shown in FIG. 9, in order to be ableto withdraw most of the liquid contents from the sports bottle 50. Thestraw portion 26, if utilized, may then need to have been preselectedfor the particular bottle 28 or may need to be cut to length by theuser. To fit the straw portion 26 to the particular bottle, the user mayneed to install the spout assembly 20 onto the bottle 30, then removeand fit the body 52 to the height or the bottle. This can be done byselecting the correct length straw portion 26, cutting the straw portionto length, or sliding the straw portion along the attachment tubesegment or the spout tube segment (if permissible) to achieve thedesired length. Alternatively, the bottle 28 may be a squeeze bottlewith a flexible, resilient side wall 36. The straw portion 26 may thennot be needed. Instead, the user may be able to squeeze the side wall 34to dispense the liquid contents directly through the axial opening 68 ofthe attachment tube segment 60, if present, or directly into and throughthe spout passage 80, if no attachment tube segment is present.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate one alternate example of a spout assembly 130constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.In this example, all of the components of the spout assembly 130 areidentical the earlier example, except that there is no valve 116. Thus,like reference numbers used in the drawings indicate like parts comparedto the earlier example. The spout tube segment 62 in this example has anopen and unencumbered dispensing orifice 132. In this example, the spoutassembly can be provided with no anti-leak valve or can be provided witha valve at another location on the assembly. In one alternate example,the spout tube segment 62 can instead be provided with a secondary cap134 at the distal end 76, as shown in FIG. 13. The secondary cap 134 canbe used to selectively close off or open the dispensing orifice 132. Thesecondary cap 134 can be tethered to the spout assembly by a ring 136and leash 138 connected to the spout tube segment 62 and the secondarycap 134, respectively.to

As noted above, the disclosed spout assemblies 20, 130 can be configuredto fit a variety of different bottles and beverage container sizes andshapes. FIGS. 14-16 show three examples of different bottles. FIG. 14shows an existing 20 oz. bottle 140 produced and sold by GATORADE andFIG. 15 shows an existing 28 oz. GATORADE bottle 142. FIG. 16 shows andexisting 32 oz. POWERADE® bottle 144. Some replacement caps 22 may fitmore than one different prepackaged beverage container while somereplacement caps may only fit one specific container. The disclosedspout assemblies are not intended to be limited in any way to a specificor particular bottle or container configuration. In another example, thereplacement cap may not be a screw-on type closure if the prepackagedcontainer comes with a different type of closure.

Various aspects and features of the disclosed spout assemblies can varywithin the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The closure wallof the replacement cap can be flat or non-flat and contoured. The spoutaperture can be positioned off center on the closure wall. The strawportion can be slidable along the spout portion, including into andalong at least part of the spout tube segment, by eliminating the stopsurface. This can make the length of the straw portion adjustable on thespout portion. In this way, the spout portion can be configured toaccommodate a variety of different bottle sizes using the same spout andstraw portions. The cap connector can vary from the specific exampledisclosed herein. The groove can be replaced by dual spaced apart ribson the outside surface of the spout portion. The spout aperture and thecap connector can be configured to form, in combination, a detentstructure to connect the two components. The spout portion can attach tothe replacement cap from the top of the closure wall instead of from thebottom side. The straw portion can be telescopically connected over theattachment tube segment. Other modifications may also be made within thescope of the claims.

The disclosed spout assemblies are described as having specificcombinations of parts, components, features, and aspects. The disclosureis not intended to be limited to only the disclosed combinations. Theparts, components, features and aspects disclosed herein may be usedindependent of the others or in different combinations of any two ormore of the parts, components, features, and aspects.

Although certain spout assemblies, sports bottles, and methods have beendescribed herein in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto.On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings ofthe disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissibleequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spout assembly for converting a prepackagedbeverage container to a sports bottle, the spout assembly comprising: areplacement cap sized and configured to replace a closure of a selectedprepackaged beverage container, the replacement cap having a closurewall and a spout aperture through the closure wall; and a spout portionhaving an elongate spout tube segment defining a spout passage axiallywithin and along the spout tube segment and having a cap connectorconfigured to attach the spout portion to the replacement cap such thatthe spout tube segment extends from one side of the closure wall and thespout passage is in liquid communication with the spout aperture.
 2. Aspout assembly according to claim 1, wherein the replacement cap has askirt depending from a perimeter of the closure wall and mechanicalthreads on a radial inner surface of the threaded skirt.
 3. A spoutassembly according to claim 1, wherein the spout tube segment isreceived through and extends from the spout aperture.
 4. A spoutassembly according to claim 1, further comprising a straw portionconnected to the spout portion and extending from a side of the closurewall opposite the one side.
 5. A spout assembly according to claim 4,wherein the spout portion includes an attachment tube segment with anaxial opening aligned with and open to the spout passage, the strawportion telescopically connected to the attachment tube segment.
 6. Aspout assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cap connector includesa circumferential groove around the spout portion, and wherein theclosure wall around the spout aperture seats in the groove.
 7. A spoutassembly according to claim 1, further comprising an anti-leak device ona part of the spout portion.
 8. A spout assembly according to claim 7,wherein the anti-leak device is a valve positioned along the spoutpassage.
 9. A spout assembly according to claim 8, wherein the valve isformed as a membrane disposed near a dispensing orifice of the spouttube segment, the membrane having a plurality of slits separating themembrane into multiple valve flaps.
 10. A spout assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the spout tube segment is flexible.
 11. A method ofconverting a prepackaged beverage container to a sports bottle, themethod comprising the steps of: obtaining a prepackaged beveragecontainer having a bottle and a closure; removing the closure from aneck of the bottle; selecting a spout assembly having i) a replacementcap sized and configured to attach to the neck of the bottle to replacethe closure, the replacement cap having a closure wall and a spoutaperture through the closure wall, and ii) a spout portion having anelongate spout tube segment and a cap connector attaching the spoutportion to the replacement cap; and installing the replacement cap onthe neck of the bottle with the spout tube segment extending upward fromthe closure wall and from the replacement cap and bottle.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the step of selecting includes selectinga spout assembly with a flexible spout tube segment that has an axialspout passage in liquid communication with the spout aperture.
 13. Amethod according to claim 12, wherein the step of selecting includesselecting a spout assembly with a straw portion connected to the spoutportion, the straw portion having an axial liquid passage in liquidcommunication with the axial spout passage.
 14. A method according toclaim 13, further comprising the step of fitting a length of the strawportion to a height of the bottle.
 15. A method according to claim 14,wherein the step of fitting includes choosing a straw portion having alength configured to extend through an interior space of the bottle tonearly adjacent a bottom of the bottle.
 16. A sports bottle comprising:a prepackaged beverage container including a bottle with a neck formingan opening; and a spout assembly having i) a replacement cap sized andconfigured to replace a closure removed from the neck, the replacementcap having a closure wall and a spout aperture through the closure wall,and ii) a spout portion having an elongate spout tube segment and a capconnector securing the spout portion on the replacement cap.
 17. Asports bottle according to claim 16, wherein the spout tube segment isflexible and extends from the spout aperture.
 18. A sports bottleaccording to claim 16, further comprising a straw portion connected toan attachment tube segment on the spout portion, the attachment tubesegment having an axial opening aligned with and open to the spoutpassage, the straw portion telescopically received in the axial openingand connected to the attachment tube segment.
 19. A sports bottleaccording to claim 16, wherein the cap connector includes acircumferential groove around the spout portion adjacent the spout tubesegment, and wherein the closure wall around the spout aperture seats inthe groove.
 20. A sports bottle according to claim 16, wherein thebottle is selected from an array of different prepackaged beveragecontainers each having a different sized bottle.